Continuing with these short round up posts. This time we start in Nashville with this blissfully weird pop triumph Going to the Movies from songwriter Mark Fredson. 70s soft rock and 80s pop vibes for the modern times, but despite all the nostalgia it’s not stuck in the past and feels like the perfect record for the summer of 2020. I think this is about an inch away of being something that I would absolutely hate, but here I am loving every second of it. Sometimes it’s good to be on the edge. What a great pop record.

Mark Fredson at Facebook
Mark Fredson Website

And speaking of perfect pop songs. How about the new Bart single Used To Be that came out on Idee Fixe Records on the 1st of May. Such a wonderfully arranged pop gem from the Canadian masters. If you like the song, make sure you check out their excellent 2019 album Today, Tomorrow, & The Next Day.

Bart at Facebook

The last station for this many shades of pop tour is New York City. Joel Henry Little released his new album Ephphatha! on the 13th of March and it’s again a really beautiful collection where chamber folk and classic pop meets Broadway musicals. Here’s my own favourite Don’t Call Me Lady (Agnes’ Jeremiad) from the new album. Listen to / buy the whole gorgeous album on his Bandcamp.

Joel Henry Little at Facebook

Hey there’s a new Christian Lee Hutson album Beginners coming out next Friday on the ANTI- Records. This would be a parade-worthy event, but let’s settle for a dance around the apartment under these circumstances. Here’s the latest singles that you can use as the soundtrack for counting the days until the release.

Christian Lee Hutson Website
Christian Lee Hutson at Facebook

Then a couple of great ones that are already out and available. First over to St. Louis, Missouri for the new album If Not Forever from country singer-songwriter Jack Grelle. The song To Be That Someone is my own favorite of this awesome record and Matt Amato directed a really sweet music video for it. Check it out below along with another album cut from the record and then hit the links on the Bandcamp player if/when you are hungry for more.

JACK GRELLE "TO BE THAT SOMEONE" from NEW MASSES on Vimeo.

Jack Grelle at Facebook
Jack Grelle Website

Wrapping this blog entry in the UK with a couple of songs from the excellent new Mr. Alec Bowman album I Used To Be Sad & Then I Forgot. The album was produced by Josienne Clarke who made one of my favorite albums of 2019. This one has honest, fragile power that will stay with you long after the final note has drifted into the air. Sometimes reminiscent of Leonard Cohen, always captivating and compelling. Here’s A Ditch Worth Dying For from the album along with a video of another album cut Long Goodbyes. You’ll find a couple of more professional videos from his youtube channel, but I went with this one on this blog post because I love the song and there’s something really sweet about this outdoor video.

Mr. Alec Bowman Website

Continuing these short round-up posts of songs that I love. This time we start from Melbourne, Australia with one of my favorite pop records of the year. I first found Girlatones due to Leah Senior being in the band and I love her folk albums. The new Girlatones album Horn If You’re Honky was co-released by Lost and Lonesome Recording Co (AUS) and Meritorio Records (Spain). Here’s a couple of faves from this delightful pop album. Check out the whole sweet album by hitting the links on the Bandcamp player.

Girlatones at Facebook

And speaking of Leah Senior, she will have new album The Passing Scene out on Flightless Records on the 12th of June. The latest single Evergreen just came out a while back and it’s again really wonderful. This time she delivers sweet baroque pop instead of melancholic folk, but it’s equally great. This is going to be such a brilliant record.

Leah Senior Website
Leah Senior at Facebook

Going across the ocean to wrap this short blog entry in Los Angeles, California with a couple of gorgeous singles from the forthcoming Jenny O. album New Truth that is coming out on Mama Bird Recording Co on the 19th of June. There’s four of them already and all are excellent. My favorites are the daydream-y What About That Day and the latest one Even If I Tried that falls into a perfect pop song category. Do check the others too (and pre-order) by following the links on the Bandcamp player.

Jenny O. at Facebook
Jenny O. Website